Our Services - Emberveil Chronicle Auto Repair | Classic & Vintage Vehicle Restoration

Preserving Automotive Legends, One Chronicle at a Time

Look, we're not gonna sugarcoat it - working on vintage cars isn't for everyone. It takes patience, the right tools, and honestly, a bit of obsession. That's what we bring to every project that rolls through our doors on Dundas Street.

Classic Car Restoration & Refurbishment

Full frame-off or sympathetic restoration - we've tackled everything from barn finds that haven't turned over in 30 years to museum-quality builds. Your car, your vision, our expertise.

Engine Rebuilding & Performance Tuning

Whether you're chasing factory specs or looking to wake up that old mill with some modern tweaks, we've rebuilt more carbs and flat-tappet cams than we can count.

Custom Paint & Body Work

From metal fabrication to color matching that discontinued '67 Mustang shade, our body shop guys are perfectionists. Rust repair? Yeah, we do a lot of that up here in Canada.

Transmission & Drivetrain Repair

Four-speeds, three-on-the-tree, automatics from the '60s - we've got the know-how and the parts connections to keep your classic shifting smooth and your rear end quiet.

Vintage Vehicle Maintenance & Inspection

Regular maintenance keeps these old girls happy. We'll check all the stuff that matters - points, timing, brake systems, suspension. Consider us your classic car's primary care doc.

Collector Car Appraisal & Consultation

Thinking about buying that '72 Charger? Need an appraisal for insurance? We'll give you the straight truth about condition, value, and what you're really getting into.

Classic Car Restoration & Refurbishment

We've been in this game long enough to know there's no such thing as a "standard" restoration. Some owners want their '65 Corvette looking showroom-fresh, others prefer keeping that patina that proves it's been loved for decades.

Our process starts with a thorough assessment - we're talking every bolt, every panel, every wire. Then we lay out a realistic plan. Frame-off means everything comes apart down to bare metal. Sometimes that's overkill though. A sympathetic resto might be what your car really needs.

Complete disassembly and documentation
Rust removal and metal fabrication
Original or upgraded mechanical systems
Interior restoration with period-correct materials
Chrome re-plating and trim restoration
Assembly with proper torque specs and techniques

Timeline: Depends entirely on the project. A light refresh might be 3-6 months. Full restoration? We're talking 12-24 months sometimes. Quality doesn't happen overnight.

Engine Rebuilding & Performance Tuning

There's something special about hearing an engine you rebuilt fire up for the first time. We've done everything from numbers-matching rebuilds for concours cars to stroker motors that'll put a grin on your face at every stoplight.

The beauty of older engines is they're actually rebuildable - not like today's sealed units. We can bore, hone, balance, blueprint... whatever it takes to get that motor humming like it did in '68, or better.

Complete teardown and inspection
Machine work - boring, decking, valve jobs
Balancing and blueprinting
Carburetor rebuilding and tuning
Distributor recurving and ignition setup
Dyno tuning available for performance builds
Period-correct or modern upgrades (electronic ignition, etc.)

Our specialty: Keeping things reliable. A fast car that breaks down isn't fun. We build 'em to run.

Custom Paint & Body Work

Paint and body is where a restoration either shines or falls flat. We don't rush this part - ever. Our booth's been refinishing classics for years, and we've learned all the tricks for dealing with those weird body lines and chrome trim from the '50s and '60s.

Rust repair is practically an art form here in Ontario. We cut out the bad metal, weld in new panels, and make it look like it was never there. No bondo bandaids - we do it right.

Rust removal and metal replacement
Panel fabrication for unavailable parts
Lead work for traditional repairs
Primer and block sanding to perfection
Color matching from original paint codes
Single-stage or base-coat/clear-coat finishes
Custom paint schemes and graphics
Wet sanding and buffing for show-quality finish

Real talk: Good paint costs money. There's no way around it. But it'll last decades if done properly.

Transmission & Drivetrain Repair

Nothing ruins a cruise faster than a slipping clutch or grinding gears. We work on manual and automatic transmissions from pretty much any era you can think of - Powerglides, Muncie 4-speeds, TorqueFlites, you name it.

The drivetrain stuff might not be glamorous, but it's essential. U-joints, axles, differentials - they all need attention after 40+ years. We've got the tools and parts sources to keep everything spinning smoothly.

Manual transmission rebuilds and clutch replacement
Automatic transmission overhauls
Differential rebuilding and gear swaps
Driveshaft balancing and U-joint replacement
Axle bearing and seal replacement
Shifter linkage restoration and adjustment
Performance upgrades (limited-slip diffs, etc.)

Pro tip: If you're hearing clunks or feeling vibrations, don't wait. Drivetrain problems only get worse (and more expensive).

Vintage Vehicle Maintenance & Inspection

Classic cars aren't "set it and forget it" like modern stuff. They need regular attention - checking points, adjusting valves, greasing suspension components. It's part of the ownership experience, really.

We offer seasonal prep (getting her ready for spring), pre-purchase inspections (so you know what you're buying), and regular maintenance schedules tailored to how you use your car. Weekend cruiser or daily driver, we'll keep it sorted.

Oil changes with proper vintage-spec fluids
Brake system inspection and adjustment
Carburetor tuning and synchronization
Points and timing adjustment
Suspension lubrication and inspection
Cooling system service
Electrical system diagnostics
Pre-season safety checks
Pre-purchase inspections with detailed reports

Honest advice: Regular maintenance is way cheaper than emergency repairs. Bring it in before something breaks.

Collector Car Appraisal & Consultation

Buying a classic can be tricky. Sellers don't always know (or tell) the whole story. We've seen too many folks get burned by "restored" cars that were really just cleaned-up rust buckets. Our appraisals give you the real deal.

We'll crawl under it, check the frame rails, pull carpets if needed, and verify if those "numbers-matching" claims are legit. You'll get a written report that insurance companies and banks actually respect.